ASTM D951-17

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Designation: D951 − 99 (Reapproved 2010) D951 − 17
Standard Test Method for
Water Resistance of Shipping Containers by Spray Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D951; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the water resistance of shipping containers.
1.2 This test method is frequently used in conjunction with other tests made prior to or after the spray test, such as the drop
test, vibration test, inclined impact test, or compression test.compression test or the environmental hazard test of Practice D4169,
or combinations thereof.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products for Testing
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D996.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method is used to determine the water resistance of shipping containers. It can be used to determine the ability of
the container to resist deterioration caused by water or the ability of the container to protect the contents from water. It is frequently
used in conjunction with other tests made prior to or after the spray test, such as the drop test, inclined impact test, vibration test
or compression test.
5. Apparatus
5.1 The apparatus, illustrated schematically in Fig. 1, shall consist of the components described in 5.2 – 5.8. Modifications are
permissible, such as the use of fresh tap water instead of a recirculating system, as long as the specified temperature and spray
intensity are achieved.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping Containers and
Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
Current edition approved April 1, 2010Sept. 1, 2017. Published May 2010September 2017. Originally approved in 1947. Last previous edition approved in 20042010 as
D951 – 99 (2004).(2010). DOI: 10.1520/D0951-99R10.10.1520/D0951-17.
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D951 − 17
FIG. 1 Schematic Diagram of Spray Apparatus
5.2 Test Room—A test room or cabinet shall be of water-resistant construction, insulated and heated when necessary so that
proper temperature control can be maintained. The bottom shall be covered with a false floor of slats wood, plastic, or metal slats,
or other perforations, and have an outlet drain.
5.3 Sprays—Spray nozzles shall be of such size and so spaced that the specified intensity of spray falls uniformly distributed
over the floor area. The spray nozzles shall be so located that the droplets are falling from gravitational force only when they strike
the specimens.
5.4 Flow Control Valves—Flow control valves, to control the intensity of the spray, are required.
5.5 Circulating System—A circulating system shall, where used, consist of a fine-mesh strainer, pump, relief by-pass, gages, and
pressure regulating valve, together with the necessary piping between the flow control valves, spray nozzles, and water reservoir.
5.6 Reservoir—A reservoir for storage and conditioning of the spray water shall, where used, be equipped with an overflow to
a sewer and with a drain to facilitate changing the water at the start of each test. Make-up water, regulated by a float control, shall
also discharge into this tank.
5.7 Water Temperature Control—A thermostatically controlled means of heating for maintaining the supply water at the desired
temperature is required.
5.8 Conditioning Apparatus—Adequate facilities shall be provided for conditioning test specimens at proper humidity and
temperature prior to test.
6. Test Specimens
6.1 Test at l
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